Hávamál
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'Tis better unasked than offered over-much;
for a gift demands a gift; Better not to send than to slay too many. Thus did Odhinn rist ere MiðgardR began, when up he rose in after time. |
What we open with here is a none to subtle warning to the un-initiated provided by the Alfather himself; beware of what you ask; give equal value for what you receive; have a care with how you use runic skills. Thus I arrive at: Ansuz, Gebo, Hagalz. |
These galdr I know that are unknown to rulers
or any earthly wight: 'Help' is one hight, for help it can in hours of sorrow and care and sickness. |
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That other I know; the sons of men
who leeches list be: scratch of them on bark from stems in the copse their mighty limbs striving for Austri's realm. |
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That third is known; if my need be great
in the thick of battle, I can dull the swords of deadly foes their weapons will make no wounds. |
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That fourth is known; if foes should bind me fast
it will quickly free me I spake galdr the chains to break Fetters spring from the feet, Bonds burst off my hands. |
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That fifth is known; if from foeman's hand
an arrow speed into the throng, flies too fast for its flight to stay once my eye holds it in mid–air. |
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That sixth is known; if someone wounds me
with runes on a sapling's root or rouses my wrath with reckless tongue the hater is blighted, not I. |
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That seventh is known; if a hall
ablaze o'er sleeping heads: however bright the blaze,they feel nothing that mighty galdr I can speak. |
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That eighth is known; that are all glad of,
needful and well to know: when hatred is in the heart of warriors, their strife soon will be calm. |
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That ninth is known; when need there be
to guard a ship in the storm, the wind it calms and the waves also and the Sea is lulled to sleep. |
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That tenth is known; if troublesome hags
ride the skies aloft galdr I work so they scatter astray, heedless of their forms heedless of their homes. |
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That eleventh is known; when to battle I lead
old comrades to the frey: behind shield, galdr do I chant hale and whole to war unwounded from war unscathed wherever they be. |
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That twelfth is known; if on a tree bare
one be hoisted on high in a halter, thus runes risted and stained true cause the body to drop, reply how-so-ever I deem. |
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That thirteenth is known; if water pure
over drengir is thrown never will he fall in the fiercest battle nor sink beneath, wounded by sword. |
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That fourteenth is known; that few know,
if to an assembly I sing, of the Aesir and alfs all, I name them true altogether. |
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That fifteenth is known; which sang Thjöthrerir,
the dwarf, before Delling's door giving strength to Aesir, prowess to the alfs, by his song, foresight to Odhinn. |
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That sixteenth is known; if a maid I do seek,
with whom to work my will: towards me her thoughts do turn the white-armed woman's heart I bewitch. |
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That seventeenth is known; if a slender maid's love
to have and to hold: thusly do I sing galdr she hardly to forsake me over another. |
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In learning this lore, Loddfáfnir,
will a long time take though helpful they are, if this wisdom becomes thine helpful if you heed them needful if you know them. |
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That eighteenth is known; which I will never tell
neither to maid nor wife of man a secret, the last of my galdr I hide from all: but only to the love who in my arms lies or else to mine own sister also. |
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Now are the Wise-Ones sayings spoken in Hár's Hall
needful to the sons of men harmful for the sons of etins: Hail to the Speaker, hail to those who know, joy to them that grasp, delight to them that heed. |
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Alone she sat out when the lord of gods,
Óthinn the Old, her eye didst seek: "What seekest to know, why summon me? Well knowest I, Ygg, where thy eye be hidden: in the wondrous well of Mímir; each morn Mímir his mead doth quaff out of Fjolnir's pledge: know ye further, or how? |
Stanza #28 The Völuspá |
CONTINUE ALONG... |
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